From: "Dave Cushman" <dave.cushman@lineone.net>
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2001 12:56:20 +0100
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Hygienic behavior

Hi Peter

I understand what you are trying to say, but several things concern me.

Mite damaging behavior and Hygenic behaviour have certain things in common, but they are not exactly the same thing.

"Noticing" a pinhole is nothing to do with the size of the hole, but the fact that it should not be there at all. It is the existance of a hole in a capping that attracts a bees attention, although I believe the smell of the dead larva that is coming out of the hole with be a signal many times larger than the existance of the hole.

Any activity exhibited by the bees in mite chewing cannot be attributed to
the bees recognition of a "dangerous" object that may be of similar size to
a varroa mite. In addition to this a varroa mite is a physical three
dimensional object and a hole is the absence of substance that should be
there.

The colonies concerned may be 95% mite free, but the reason cannot be put
down to the pin killing of brood... Have a look for other possible reasons.

73s and Regards from Dave Cushman G8MZY